Delhi Police assure security to citizens ahead of festivals

New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) With the capital in the grip of fear following the bombings that have claimed 25 lives so far and left over a 100 people injured, Delhi Police Monday assured citizens they would do their best to secure the city during the festival season of Eid, Durga Puja and Dussehra that begins this week. Police have also asked organisers of Ram Lila and Durga Puja to wrap up their programmes before 10 p.m. or face legal actions, including fine or imprisonment or both.

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta held a meeting with senior officials to discuss security arrangements. Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal was asked to intensify patrolling during the festival season.

Dadwal later held a meeting of his senior officers to discuss the security measures to be adopted especially in temples, pandals, busy markets and other important places.

Though police officials said there was no specific threat, they were extra vigilant due to the recent bombings in the capital.

On Sep 13, five synchronised bomb blasts - one at Karol Bagh, two at Connaught Place and two at Greater Kailash I - killed 25 people and injured 124.

Exactly a fortnight later, one crude bomb exploded in a small electronic market in Mehrauli in south delhi, killing a boy and injuring 22 people.

“We have adopted unprecedented security measures to avoid any terror incident. But also appeal to people to cooperate with the police in identifying any suspicious object, person or vehicle,” Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said.

During the nine-day festival of Navratri beginning Tuesday, people in large number will be thronging temples, pandals and markets. The festival will cuminate with Dussehra Oct 9 while Eid ul Fitr will be celebrated Wednesday or Thursday.

Police have issued a set of guidelines to market associations and religious event organisers.

“Close circuit TV cameras could be installed at Ram Lila functions and markets to check on suspicious people and objects. Sufficient numbers of watch towers must be erected as per the consultation of senior police officers,” the guidelines said.

Police said personnel from all the 10 Delhi Police districts, reserve police and training cells were deployed on law and order duties. Bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs are also doing the rounds of crowded market areas to check any unidentified objects.